Standard Oil Company Unissued Stock Certificate from 1870s
Standard Oil Company Unissued Stock Certificate from 1870s
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Are the certificates authentic?
Are the certificates authentic?
Yes, all of the certificates we sell are authentic stock and bond certificates unless otherwise mentioned in the description. At one point in time, this certificate represented a share of of the company, or a bond receipt. These certificates have been removed from circulation and digitalized, as seen by cancellation holes, stamps and writing on the certificate. We offer these certificates as a collectable item, not a security.
This is an unissued stock certificate from the Standard Oil Company, printed in the 1870s by Maverick, Stephan & Co., N.Y. Elegantly engraved with ornate borders and blank signature lines, it remains uncancelled and retains its crisp, unmarked form.
The certificate includes the original stock book stub in most examples and was never filled out, making it a rare and clean piece from the company’s early days.
The Standard Oil Company was founded in 1870 in Cleveland, Ohio by John D. Rockefeller, Henry Flagler, and other investors. In 1882, 41 shareholders signed the Standard Oil Trust Agreement, consolidating 40 companies into one centralized trust valued at $70 million—a staggering amount at the time. This trust structure made Standard Oil the first great American monopoly and the most powerful force in the petroleum industry.
Although the trust was dissolved in 1892, the companies remained interlinked under the umbrella of Standard Oil Interests. In 1899, Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (Jersey Standard) absorbed the remaining assets and became the trust’s de facto holding company. Jersey Standard held a near-total grip on the American oil market until 1911, when the U.S. Supreme Court, responding to years of public pressure and investigative journalism (notably by Ida Tarbell), ordered its breakup in Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States.
This certificate predates the trust era, representing Standard Oil's early corporate structure in its original Ohio-based form. It's a powerful collectible tied to the origins of American corporate power, antitrust law, and modern energy history.
You will receive a certificate similar to the one shown. Each is an original, unissued document from the 1870s, printed by Maverick, Stephan & Co., N.Y.
Materials and care
Materials and care
Here are some quick tips to preserve your certificate for decades to come.
Paper quality: Stock certificates were printed on a variety of certificate paper dating back to the mid 1800s. Most of these vintage collectable certificates have signs of used & wear , cancellation holes, pencil / pen writing, stamps, staples, adhesives, slight rips, missing coupons and other features.
Handling: Always handle the certificate with clean, dry hands or use cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils and dirt from your skin onto the paper.
Storage: Store the certificate in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Use acid-free folders or archival-quality plastic sleeves to protect it from moisture, dust, and physical damage.
Framing: If displaying the certificate, use a frame with UV-protective glass to prevent light damage. Ensure the certificate is mounted using acid-free materials to avoid any chemical reactions that could degrade the paper over time.
Avoid Exposure: Keep the certificate away from direct sun, extreme temperatures and humidity, which can cause the paper to warp or deteriorate. Avoid exposing it to pollutants, such as smoke or chemicals, which can cause discoloration.
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